Demolition begins at burned Allentown warehouse

Demolition has begun Thursday tearing into the huge Allentown warehouse that burned in a spectacular fire Sunday and continues to smolder four days later. Allentown City Council on Wednesday approved a request to spend $1.25 million Wednesday for the emergency demolition.

Demolition has begun Thursday tearing into the huge Allentown warehouse that burned in a spectacular fire Sunday and continues to smolder four days later. Allentown City Council on Wednesday approved a request to spend $1.25 million Wednesday for the emergency demolition.

Demolition equipment has begun tearing into the huge Allentown warehouse that burned in a spectacular fire Sunday and continues to smolder four days later.

Officials determined that the vacant warehouse on Franklin Street near 15th and Gordon streets was in danger of collapse and far too dangerous to send investigators inside to determine the cause of the blaze.

Allentown City Council on Wednesday approved a request to spend $1.25 million Wednesday for the emergency demolition. Leonard Lightner, Allentown’s director of community and economic development, told council that a collapse could damage homes to the north and south.

Developer and former mayoral candidate Nat Hyman owns the property, which he had hoped to convert into apartments. Because the building was vacant, it was uninsured.

Mayor Ray O’Connell said the city will use all legal avenues to be reimbursed for the demolition costs, but Hyman’s ownership through a limited liability company known as Cigar Factory Allentown LLC may limit the city’s ability to seek money from him.

Rick Kintzel / The Morning Call

Crews on Thursday have begun demolishing the Allentown warehouse that burned Sunday.